The European Roots of A Theology of Liberation: Gustavo Gutierrez and the Nouvelle Theologie

Published in 1971, the work of Peruvian theologian Gustavo Gutierrez, A Theology of Liberation, marks the starting point of an original theological development within contemporary Christianity. Because of its huge historical and ecclesial impact, more attention has been devoted to exploring the several branches of Liberation Theology than to its historical or intellectual roots. This work will be centered on exploring the European roots of A Theology of Liberation and particularly the relationship between this work and the Nouvelle Theologie movement. The article is divided into three sections. First, it will critically assess what theologians and historians have said thus far about the roots of Gutierrez's work. Second, it explores the historical and biographical relationships between the nouveaux theologiens and Gustavo Gutierrez. Finally, the article will deal with Gutierrez's definition of the task of theology as critical and historical and trace the influence of Marie-Dominique Chenu, Yves Congar, and Maurice Blondel in the explanation of his theological method.